Tag: faith

Christian

Why Do Christians Drift Away?

Cindy Dawson

While at the beach one summer, my two sons insisted on renting a small boat. They were told to stay close, but eventually they began to drift. We started yelling at them and waving our arms, but they didn’t see us and kept drifting farther and farther away, unaware.

That’s the bad thing about drifting, you can end up far from where you started and unaware of how far you’ve drifted.

“… we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not [in any way] drift away from truth.” Hebrews 2:1 AMP

Today we have the entire Bible to keep us on course, but do we neglect it? C.S. Lewis said,

“As a matter of fact, if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away?”

We can so easily drift away from God and toward the ways of the world: thinking like the world, acting like the world, even speaking like the world. How? Compromise, open-mindedness, tolerance for what is evil in the eyes of the Lord, the desire to fit in.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV

Thinking back on my past, I can see how drifting away from God was a result of drifting farther and farther away from God’s Word. Drifting happens so easily, not because of anything we do, as much as what we don’t do. We neglect Bible study, neglect church fellowship, neglect worship, neglect prayer.

My boys finally saw us waving wildly and came back in, but others have not been so lucky.

In his article, 9 Fortunate Souls Who Survived Being Lost at Sea, Avery Thompson said this,

“The sea is like a wet desert. There’s no food. There’s no shelter. Nothing to drink. In every direction, the view is the same: nothing. Plus, dangerous predators lurk just beneath the depths.  A shipwreck out on the open ocean can be a death sentence. If rescue doesn’t come in the first 48 hours, it probably never will.”

We can compare this to drifting spiritually. No spiritual food to eat, no living water to drink, demons lurking just beneath …

That’s why the writer of Hebrews says, “we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard“. We must be reading our Bible and renewing our minds. These words are as true today as they were when first written.

The worse thing about being a drifter is that you probably won’t even notice what you’ve become or how far you have drifted. So in this time, as in the first century, Christians “must pay much closer attention than ever.”

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

Did you know? The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

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Christian

How Important Is Christianity to You?

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Friday, 10/23/26

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”   C.S. Lewis

“Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

Did you know? The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Kiwihug on Unsplash

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Christian, Christians and Jews

Know Your Enemy

Cindy Dawson

Bible Study for Tuesday, 10/13/26

Our enemy is Satan. We can learn about him through God’s Word, which teaches us everything we need to know. I want to focus today on one particular fact about Satan that we must never forget.

“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

These verses tell us that our enemy, Satan, appears to be something he is not. He makes himself appear innocent, just fun, and good even though his intentions are always evil.

In the past (long ago), we thought we could allow our children to watch anything Disney because it would be safe for children. This is no longer true.

Disney seems to be obsessed with witchcraft. Wicked, Hex, The Witch, Practical Magic, and many, many more movies entice children to believe in magic and the occult.

You could almost say that witchcraft has become mainstream. In many places, it has.

The Bible warns us that Satan and his forces will not be openly evil. Instead, they will make themselves appear like harmless fun. There is no clearer example of this than movies about witchcraft.

God says, “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:10-12

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

“Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.” Walt Disney

Walt Disney’s view of the “ideals and objectives of normal adulthood” did not include being a Christ follower, but I agree with one thing he said: “Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives.”

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Getty Images on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Christians and Jews

How to Trust God in Challenging Times

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 9/24/26

We don’t really know how strong our faith is until it’s tested. And it’s hard to be joyful about our testing, but the Bible says,

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2 NIV

My faith has been tested. It was so hard not to give in to fear and worry. Once, my daughter went to Kenya to help in a children’s hospital. Another time was when my son had to undergo back surgery. (You can read these stories at the links below.)

As mothers, it’s really hard not to worry about our children, even when they’re adults! So I had to ask myself, Will I choose faith or fear? It can’t be both.

I didn’t want my faith tested again. I didn’t care if it would make me mature and complete. I didn’t say it to God, but He knows what we’re thinking.

I knew I had to choose to trust God in both of these situations. It wasn’t easy because if I was worried and afraid, I wasn’t trusting God. But I was determined to not be afraid. I wrote out every Scripture that encouraged me to trust the Lord and to be unafraid. God’s Word strengthened me as I read these verses every day.

You have to CHOOSE faith! Refuse to be fearful. Pray and ask the Lord to help you.

This post was inspired by Alan Kearns’ post, Unshakable Faith on Devotional Treasures.

Choose Faith Over Fear
The Father’s Love: A Deeper Look at Sacrifice

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Max Omen on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Christians and Jews

Out of the Devil’s Reach

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 9/11/26

“Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.” Johnathan Edwards

Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Proverbs for Gaining Wisdom

Cindy Dawson

Sunday, 9/6/26

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Count It Pure Joy

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 9/2/26

“God never uses anyone greatly until He tests them deeply.”
― A.W. Tozer

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Will This Please the Lord?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Tuesday, 9/1/26

What do we do when we want to do something but aren’t sure we should? Is it a sin?

Do we look for Bible verses that will give us permission to get around the conviction we feel? Perhaps we should ask ourselves: Will this please the Lord? Consider the verses below.

“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)  and find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God …” Colossians 1:9-10

” … but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NASB

I don’t know about you, but whenever I ask myself, Will this please the Lord?, I always know what I should do or not do!

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture verses are from the NIV; emphasis mine.

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Who Really Killed Jesus?

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Monday, 8/31/26

This message is from Amir Tsarfati’s Telegram page.

Did you know that the message Yeshua came to deliver was hard to comprehend even for many of His followers?

When you grow up in a world that defines sin by its own rules and removes the need for repentance and a personal relationship with God, the message of salvation by grace through faith can be difficult – even offensive.

Why?

Because it requires us to admit that there is nothing within our own good works that can save us.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Religion has always tempted man to believe that human effort and good deeds can earn God’s attention, forgiveness, and acceptance. That same thinking had deeply affected many during the time of Yeshua.

But Yeshua came with a very different message.

At one point, many of His followers found His teaching too difficult to receive – particularly His message about the necessity of giving His body and shedding His blood.

“Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’” John 6:60

In their minds, Messiah was supposed to reign – not die.

He was supposed to bring peace, prosperity, and the restoration of Israel – surely not die in humiliation on a Roman cross while Israel remained under harsh occupation, with another destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple soon to come, followed by an even longer exile.

Yeshua never forces anyone to believe. He even challenged His own disciples to decide whether they would stay or leave, as many others had already done.

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Yeshua said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’” John 6:66-67

Then came Peter’s great confession of faith – words that have resonated with me many times during difficult seasons throughout my life:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:68-69

His message is clear – there is a price that had to be paid for our sins.

He gladly paid it.

There is no way around it.

Salvation cannot be understood without acknowledging why He came. He was born sinless, yet He died for us and rose again.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Yes, the resurrection is the key – but without His death there would have been no resurrection.

You cannot believe in a resurrected Messiah without believing that He had to die – and understanding why He died.

It wasn’t the Jews who killed Yeshua.

It was all of us.

Our sins put Him there.

The verse that changed my life when I was not even 18 years old, contemplating taking my own life, was Isaiah 53:6:

“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Think about this – Isaiah wrote these words hundreds of years before Yeshua came and fulfilled them.

The cross was not an accident. It was not a failed plan. Long before Yeshua was born, God had already revealed through the prophet that Messiah would bear our sins.

Yeshua didn’t die accidentally.

He came to do the perfect will of the Father.

Hours before His death, He prayed:

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

And hundreds of years before Yeshua fulfilled it, Isaiah had already written:

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

So if you are down today, remember this – a price was paid for your salvation.

You are no longer on death row if you repent and believe.

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

He isn’t a baby.

He isn’t a crucifix.

He is the resurrected Lord who is alive!

Amir Tsarfari from his Telegram page. Behold Israel

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Melinda Gimpel on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Overcoming Doubts: Trusting God’s Call

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 8/27/26

Do you ever question your calling (that which you believe God has called you to do)? If the answer is yes, don’t be surprised, because that is Satan’s attack on your mind. He wants to stop what you are doing. He wants you to give up.

Remember who Satan is: The deceiver (Revelation 12:9) and the father of lies (John 8:44).

Perhaps you have even prayed, Lord, I want to please you. Is this what you want me to do?

This is the answer to your prayer:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Are you earnestly seeking God? If you are, then trust Him to keep His promises.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 NIV

Thank you, Lord, my God, for your precious promises. They are more precious than silver and gold.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Now the Lord said to Abram, … I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.” Genesis 12:1&3

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

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